Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson to speak at Aretha Franklin funeral

This combination photo shows Smokey Robinson at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 26, 2017, from left, President Bill Clinton at Game 6 of the NBA basketball first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics in Milwaukee on April 26, 2018 and Cicely Tyson at the premiere of the film “Last Flag Flying” in Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2017. Robinson, Clinton and Tyson are scheduled to speak at the funeral of soul music great Aretha Franklin, 76, who died of pancreatic cancer on Aug. 16. Image: AP Photo

NEW YORK — Former President Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Cicely Tyson will be among the speakers at Aretha Franklin’s funeral next week.

Franklin’s rep, Gwendolyn Quinn, says other speakers will include former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, music mogul Clive Davis, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Bishop T.D. Jakes. Michael Eric Dyson, former TV judge Greg Mathis, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones and U.S. Rep Brenda Lawrence are also additional speakers.

Clinton and the Queen of Soul were longtime friends. She sang at both of his inaugurations. Robinson and Franklin grew up together in Detroit.

Franklin died Aug. 16 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. Her funeral will be held in Detroit at Greater Grace Temple next Friday.

The Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. will deliver the eulogy. He is pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta.

The performers for the service include Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Faith Hill, Chaka Khan and more. MKH

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